I always enjoy the scenery on Cinnamon Pass headed West from Lake city. as for difficulty,,, it's easy..

 

You're the only person that can decide that. What are you looking for? Trails with camping or fishing? Something close to town (hot shower, cold beer, hot tub, warm bed)? Mind-blowing scenery? Jeep-bustin' difficulty? Colorado has them all.

Do you have both of the Funtreks.com Colorado books from Charles Wells? "Colorado" is South of I-70; "Northern Colorado" is North of I-70. If not, get them immediately and use them as your guide. Make sure you get the newly updated 3rd edition of each.

Also, check out traildamage.com (pictures, decriptions, maps, etc) and staythetrail.org (clickable trail map).

You're right, your Jeep is probably more capable than you (mine too; don't feel bad). The best advice I can give you is to not get in over your head. Start easy and scenic and go for something a little tougher each day. It would suck to have to cut your trip short due to major breakage or a rollover.

 

Just drove from Durango north on US 550 in a commerical truck. Was amazed at all the trail possibilities! Can't wait to explore around here some in the JK, but WON'T be making that drive again in a big rig! Thanks for the trail suggestions.

 

you guys have no idea how lucky you are in CO.

 

I have watched some videos of Black Bear and I would really like to try that one. I want to drive as many passes as I can while there so I am going to map out all that have been mentioned here. Thanks for the video links, I will watch them when I get home as the work computers have that site blocked. I am going to read the thread 33williys77 referred to when off duty, presently in Las Palmas Gran Caneria working.
I am super excited to get home and start my trip so I should also be there sometime the first week of August if all goes as planned, so I will keep look out for a JKU from Alabama! I will definately get the books on order as wife was going to try to locate some so thanks for the reference CFR and I will definately not take risk I am not comfortable taking, besides I have my own Jimminey Cricket sitting in the other seat (sometimes praying LOL)
I will map 21 rd of I70 into the navi as a destination as well as Cinnamon and Imogene and all the others mentioned. I am like a kid waiting on Christmas!!

Anymore referrences are welcome as I am going to make a full 2 weeks of this trip.

 

Guide To Colorado Backroads and Four-wheel Drive Trails, by Charles A Wells, has all the information you need on the area described above. Worth every penny and available at all major book stores and on line.

 

oh yeah, that's just nuts! they claim us hwy 550 is the 2nd most dangerous highway in north america. can't recall which one was the first...

 

I enjoyed Medano Pass in Great Sand Dunes NP. Pretty easy and fun. The dunes are really fun to play on ( can't drive on them ).

 

Just ordered the book by Charles Wells as recommened, the two mentioned by CFR didn't show on the Books-a-million website, if I can find them I will buy them too.

I checked 21 road north of I-70 and it looks like fun and remote as well. I will be doing some wilderness camping along the way. Last summer we were on the motorcycle and didn't have quite enough room to carry everything, sure needed a Sun Shower and will have one this year.

Colorado guys are lucky at least in the summer, the snow may dampen some of the off road adventure. I noticed long stakes on the edge of the road to indicate where the edge of the road was located for when the snow was on the ground. We just don't have that much snow problem in Arkansas.

I did enjoy the Great Sand Dunes when there last year, wouldn't mind going back.

 

If you're headed to Telluride hit Last Dollar Pass/Rd. An easy but very scenic drive. You'll have better luck than me when I was out there as many passes were still closed due to snow. I'd double check black bear pass since that was low on the priority list to clear. Don't forget Moab is just a few hours drive from Telluride